High Tide: Able Noise’s Expansive Debut Album Pushes Boundaries of Sound and Performance
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Able Noise, a dynamic duo operating between The Hague and Athens, have carved a niche for themselves in the experimental music scene. Comprised of George Knegtel and Alex Andropoulos, the band’s unique blend of baritone guitar and percussion creates a sonic experience that defies traditional genre constraints. Their journey began in earnest in 2017 after several formative collaborations, and now, after a series of well-received performances across Europe and a debut cassette release through GLARC in 2020, Able Noise is set to release their first full-length album, High Tide, on November 1st via World of Echo.
Initially conceptualized as a live project, Able Noise’s approach to music is deeply rooted in the experience of performance. The band has always been focused on creating a dialogue with their audience, adapting their shows to the environment and energy present in each space. Their performances are characterized by a physicality and fluidity that challenge the conventional boundaries of live music, drawing comparisons to the improvisational spirit found in artists like Swans and the genre-bending experimentation of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
With High Tide, Able Noise transitions from the stage to the studio, bringing with them the same exploratory mindset that defines their live performances. However, the recording process presented new challenges: how to translate the spontaneity of their improvisational style into a fixed medium. In the absence of a live audience, the duo explored the possibilities of studio production, employing multi-tracking, post-production, and processing techniques to create a rich, layered sound. The result is an album that feels both disorienting and immersive, where traditional structures are abandoned in favor of a more impressionistic, centerless approach.
Collaborating with fellow musicians from their Athenian base and beyond, Knegtel and Andropoulos expanded their sound, incorporating contributions from various artists. This collaborative spirit echoes the methods of artists like Brian Eno and Jon Hassell, who have similarly invited diverse inputs to create multifaceted works. High Tide addresses the complex themes of inertia, technological obsolescence, and social turmoil, reflecting the sense of uncertainty and adaptation that permeates the world today. While it doesn’t offer solutions, the album stands as a testament to the power of creative collaboration and the possibilities it can unlock in times of uncertainty.
Learn more about Able Noise
